Cool MateIf it was me vs Personally
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
If it was me
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Personally
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Most formal: Personally
| If it was me | Personally | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪf ɪt wəz miː//🇺🇸 //ɪf ɪt wəz mi// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɜːsənəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɜːrsənəli/"]/ |
| Meaning | A way to express personal opinion or feeling | For me or in my opinion. |
| Example | If it was me, I would take the bus instead of driving. | Personally, I believe that everyone should have the right to express their opinions. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | If it was me doing it, If it was me in charge, If it was me there | personally believe, personally think, personally feel, personally prefer, personally experienced |
| Antonyms | - | impersonally, objectively |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'If it were me' which is more grammatically correct in hypothetical contexts., Using it in overly formal contexts where a more formal phrase is necessary. | Using 'personally' when talking about other people's opinions., Confusing with 'person' — 'personally' is an adverb, not a noun., Placing 'personally' in the wrong part of the sentence. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations to give personal advice or perspective. Avoid in formal settings or writing. | Use 'personally' when sharing your own thoughts or feelings. It's appropriate in both spoken and written language but may sound too informal in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: If it was me vs Personally
What's the difference between If it was me and Personally?
If it was me: A way to express personal opinion or feeling Personally: For me or in my opinion.
Which is more formal: If it was me and Personally?
Personally is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
If it was me: If it was me, I would take the bus instead of driving. Personally: Personally, I believe that everyone should have the right to express their opinions.
Can I use If it was me and Personally interchangeably?
Not always. If it was me and Personally are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.